VANCOUVER — Alphonso Davies, who set a Major League Soccer transfer record when he moved from the Vancouver Whitecaps to German champions Bayern Munich, was named Canada Soccer's player of the year on Wednesday. It has been a season of honors for the 18-year-old who was also voted the Whitecaps player of the year after eight goals and 11 assists helped him earn selection to the MLS All-Star game.

Davies has won nine caps for Canada, scoring three goals and assisting on four. Those numbers caught the attention of the German champions Bayern, who in July paid $22 million for the then 17-year-old.

Davies, who turned 18 in November, will join Bayern in January when the international transfer window opens.

"He has been a stand-out performer for club and country and that is just a consistent reality now for Alphonso Davies," said John Herdman, head coach of Canada's national men's team, in a statement.

"For club, he picked up many an accolade, culminating with what looks like one of the biggest signings our country has ever seen.

"For Canada, every time he has been asked to take a responsibility and support the team, even playing out of position, he has shown his character."

Man City agree deal to

sign US keeper Steffen

Manchester City have agreed a deal that will see United States international goalkeeper Zack Steffen join them from MLS side Columbus Crew next July, the Premier League champions said.

The exact financial details of the four-year contract were not revealed but Crew said the transfer fee was the largest in their history and the highest received by an MLS side for a goalkeeper in the league's 23-year history.

"Today's (Tuesday) announcement regarding next summer is a special moment... I look forward to finishing my time with this club on a strong note. I am eager to continue to put in the work to improve and be the best team mate I can," Steffen said.

"This is a historic transaction for the club and a special moment for Zack we're immensely proud of... the announcement is the culmination of 2-1/2 years of development and success for Zack," Crew interim general manager Pat Onstad said.

The 23-year-old Steffen began his career with Freiburg, playing 14 times for the German side before switching to the Ohio-based Crew in 2016. He has made 63 regular season starts since his debut in 2017.

Steffen's strong performances earned him a call up to the national side, making his debut against Bosnia in January before playing five more times for the country this year. — Reuters